2017 Yeovil Town L.F.C. season

Last updated

Yeovil Town Ladies
2017 season
ChairmanStephen Allison
ManagerJamie Sherwood
Stadium Huish Park
FA WSL 1 9th
FA Women's Cup Fifth round
Top goalscorerLeague: Lucy Quinn,
Sarah Wiltshire (2)
All: Lucy Quinn (3)
Highest home attendance1,897 (23 April vs. Liverpool, WSL 1)
Lowest home attendance312 (3 May vs. Bristol City, WSL 1)
Average home league attendance744
←  2016
2017–18 →

The 2017 season was Yeovil Town Ladies Football Club's 27th season of competitive football and its first season in the FA WSL 1, at the top level of English women's football, after promotion from the FA WSL 2. [1]

Contents

Following a reorganisation of top-level women's football in England, the 2017 season covered only half of a traditional season's length, while the FA WSL shifted its calendar to match the traditional autumn-to-spring axis of football in Europe. [2] For the same reason, there was no Champions League qualification nor relegation to be competed for.

Yeovil struggled in their first season in the top flight of English football losing seven of their eight league matches, only avoiding defeat in their final match of the season as the club finished bottom of the FA WSL 1 table. The club were knocked out in the fifth round of the FA Women's Cup by Notts County. Forward Lucy Quinn finished as the club's top goalscorer with three goals in all competitions, while Quinn and returning striker Sarah Wiltshire were joint top goalscorers in the league with two goals each.

Background

The 2016 season saw Yeovil compete in the second tier of English football. It was manager Jamie Sherwood's second full season in charge of the Glovers as the club won promotion from the FA WSL 2 as champions. [1]

Ahead of their first season in the top flight of English women's football, the club released a number of players including Samantha Quayle who joined Portsmouth, [3] young players Emily Donovan and Ellis Hillman, while Welsh international Kayleigh Green moved to Italy to join Serie A club Chieti Calcio Femminile. [4] Finally, in February the club announced that defender Lauren Townsend and midfielder Danielle Carlton would both not be returning for the Spring Series. [5] The club also announced that due to pitch renovation works at Huish Park, Yeovil would only play the first of their Spring Series matches at Huish Park, with the rest of their matches taking place at the home grounds of Taunton Town and Bridgwater Town. [6]

Review

Pre-season

On 8 February, Yeovil announced their first signing of the season with Welsh international record goalscorer Helen Ward joining from Reading, [7] the club also announced the return of former captain Natalie Haigh for the Spring Series, after a year out of football due work and studying commitments. [8] At the start of March, Yeovil Ladies announced a series of new contracts including club captain Ellie Curson, [9] Welsh internationals Nicola Cousins, [10] and midfielder Helen Bleazard, [11] as well as experienced striker Ann-Marie Heatherson had all signed new deals for the Spring Series. [12] On 16 March, the club also confirmed that a further five players had signed new contracts for the Spring Series, including Welsh international forward Nadia Lawrence, England under-19 goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes, as well as young trio Jessie Jones, Kelly Snook and Leah Burridge. [13] On 17 March, Yeovil announced a further three contract renewals with midfielder Stephanie Williams, forward Lucy Quinn [14] and defender Hannah Short for the upcoming season. [15] The club also confirmed that former Reading player and Welsh dual-sport international Nia Jones had signed for the Spring Series. [16]

On 19 March, Yeovil traveled to Notts County in the fifth round of the FA Women's Cup but were knocked out 3–2 despite goals from Lucy Quinn and Kelly Snook. [17] After losing in the FA Cup, goalkeeper Charlotte Johnson left the club ahead of moving to study at the University of North Alabama. [18] On 24 March, Helen Ward announced that she was pregnant and expecting her second child and therefore would have to withdraw from her Yeovil contract. [19] The end of March, saw the club announce their fourth signing ahead of the Spring Series with England Beach Soccer player Molly Clark signing from Chichester City. [20]

April

Ahead of the start of the Spring Series, Yeovil confirmed the return of striker Sarah Wiltshire having giving birth to her first child in February, after a loan spell proving her fitness scoring six times in seven appearances for Cambridge United. [21] [22] Yeovil's first match of the season saw them host Liverpool at Huish Park, in front of a record crowd of 1,897 the Glovers lost 4–1 with Wiltshire grabbing a consolation goal from the penalty spot. [23] On 30 April, Yeovil traveled to Chelsea for their second WSL 1 fixture, despite holding on for 45 minutes without conceding the Glovers conceded twice in first half injury time and eventually fell to a 6–0 defeat. [24]

May

During the Chelsea defeat, Yeovil goalkeeper Charlotte Haynes suffered a broken hand which ruled her out for up to eight weeks. [25] Following the confirmation of Haynes' injury, Yeovil moved quickly to sign former Notts County goalkeeper Megan Walsh for the remainder of the Spring Series. [26] On 3 May, Yeovil faced Bristol City at the home of Taunton Town but fell to a third successive WSL defeat after a late Nicola Cousins own goal, despite goals from Ann-Marie Heatherson and Sarah Wiltshire. [27] Yeovil then hosted Arsenal at Taunton Town, on 7 May, and conceded four goals in just over half an hour despite the Glovers replying with a consolation goal from Lucy Quinn, Yeovil lost their fourth match of the Spring Series 5–1. [28] On 16 May, Yeovil completed the signing of Welsh international former Notts County midfielder Angharad James for the remainder of the Spring Series. [29] James made her debut for Yeovil the following day against Reading as the Glovers suffered a narrow 1–0 defeat. [30] Yeovil then traveled to defending WSL 1 champions Manchester City, and suffered another heavy defeat losing 5–1 with Quinn scoring her third goal of the season. [31] Before Yeovil's penultimate game of the Spring Series, the club confirmed that goalkeeper Bethany-May Howard had returned to the club after graduating from Rider University in the United States. [32] On 28 May, Yeovil's final home game of the Spring Series saw them fall to a narrow 2–1 defeat against Sunderland with Angharad James scoring the Glovers goal. [33] Yeovil's final Spring Series match saw them travel to Birmingham City as the Glovers ended the season with a goalless draw to gain the club's first FA WSL 1 point. [34]

Transfers

In

DateNameFromFeeRef
8 February 2017 Helen Ward Reading Free (released)
[7]
21 February 2017 Natalie Haigh UnattachedFree (released)
[8]
19 March 2017 Nia Jones Reading Free (released)
29 March 2017Molly ClarkChichester CityFree
3 May 2017 Megan Walsh Notts County Free (released)
16 May 2017 Angharad James Notts County Free (released)
24 May 2017Bethany-May Howard Rider Broncs Free

Out

DateNameToFeeRef
20 March 2017Charlotte Johnson North Alabama Lions Released
24 March 2017 Helen Ward Watford Contract terminated by mutual consent
11 July 2017 Sarah Wiltshire Tottenham Hotspur Released
24 July 2017 Angharad James Everton Released
13 August 2017Molly Clark Portsmouth Released
15 August 2017 Natalie Haigh Coventry United Released
15 August 2017Charlotte Haynes Keynsham Town Released
15 August 2017 Nia Jones UnattachedReleased
15 August 2017Hannah Short Oxford United Released
15 August 2017 Stephanie Williams Oxford United Released

Loan out

DateNameToEnd dateRef
12 March 2017 Sarah Wiltshire Cambridge United23 April 2017

Match details

WSL 1

DateLeague
position		OpponentsVenueResultScore
F–A		ScorersAttendanceRef
23 April 20179th Liverpool HL1–4 Wiltshire (pen)1,897 [23]
30 April 20179th Chelsea AL0–61,077 [24]
3 May 20179th Bristol City H [A] L2–3 Heatherson, Wiltshire 312 [27]
7 May 20179th Arsenal H [A] L1–5 Quinn 824 [28]
17 May 20179th Reading H [A] L0–1356 [30]
21 May 20179th Manchester City AL1–5 Quinn 1,153 [31]
28 May 20179th Sunderland H [B] L1–2 James 331 [33]
31 May 20179th Birmingham City AD0–0625 [34]

League table

PosTeamPldWDLGFGAGDPts
5 Sunderland 8233414−109
6 Reading 82241015−58
7 Birmingham City 8143610−47
8 Bristol City 8116521−164
9Yeovil Town8017626−201
Updated to match(es) played on 3 June 2017. Source: [40]
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored

FA Women's Cup

RoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScore
F–A		ScorersAttendanceRef
Fifth round19 March 2017 Notts County AL2–3 Quinn (pen), Snook443 [17]

Squad statistics

Source: [41]
No.Pos.Nat.NameAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
LeagueFA Women's CupTotal
1GKFlag of England.svg  ENG Charlotte Haynes201030
1GKFlag of England.svg  ENG Bethany-May Howard000000
2DFFlag of England.svg  ENG Natalie Haigh 5 (1)0106 (1)0
3DFFlag of England.svg  ENG Leah Burridge 0 (1)0000 (1)0
4MFFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Ellie Curson 801090
5DFFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Nicola Cousins 800080
6MFFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Stephanie Williams 0 (2)0101 (2)0
7FWFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Sarah Wiltshire 3 (3)2003 (3)2
8MFFlag of England.svg  ENG Jessie Jones1 (5)0001 (5)0
9FWFlag of England.svg  ENG Ann-Marie Heatherson 811091
10FWFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Nia Jones 7 (1)0108 (1)0
11FWFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Nadia Lawrence 801090
13†GKFlag of England.svg  ENG Charlotte Johnson000 (1)00 (1)0
13GKFlag of England.svg  ENG Megan Walsh 600060
15DFFlag of England.svg  ENG Kelly Snook1 (3)0112 (3)1
16MFFlag of England.svg  ENG Bow Jackson200 (1)02 (1)0
20MFFlag of England.svg  ENG Molly Clark2 (1)0002 (1)0
21FWFlag of England.svg  ENG Lucy Quinn 7 (1)2118 (1)3
23MFFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Helen Bleazard 801090
25MFFlag of Wales (1959-present).svg  WAL Angharad James 3 (1)1003 (1)1
26DFFlag of England.svg  ENG Hannah Short801090
28FWFlag of England.svg  ENG Ella Pusey0 (5)00 (1)00 (6)0

Footnotes

A.  ^ Yeovil Ladies played three of their home matches at The Viridor Stadium, home of Taunton Town. [6]
B.  ^ Yeovil Ladies played Sunderland at Fairfax Park, home of Bridgwater Town. [6]

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References

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  2. ↑ "Women's Super League to switch to winter season in 2017". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 12 July 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  3. ↑ "Quayle makes a permanent switch to Pompey". portsmouthfcladies.co.uk. Portsmouth FC Ladies. 20 December 2016. Archived from the original on 19 March 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
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  16. 1 2 "Nia Jones is added to the squad". yeoviltownladies.com. Yeovil Town Ladies F.C. 19 March 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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  18. 1 2 "Lions add eight soccer signees". roarlions.com. University of North Alabama. 2 January 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
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  20. 1 2 "Molly Clark puts pen to paper at Yeovil Town Ladies". yeoviltownladies.com. Yeovil Town Ladies F.C. 29 March 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  21. 1 2 "Wiltshire returns after giving birth to first child". yeoviltownladies.com. Yeovil Town Ladies F.C. 23 April 2017. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. 1 2 Garry, Tom (24 April 2017). "Sarah Wiltshire: Yeovil Town Ladies top scorer's return for Spring Series 'amazing'". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  23. 1 2 "Yeovil Town Ladies 1–4 Liverpool Ladies". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  24. 1 2 "Chelsea Ladies 6–0 Yeovil Town Ladies". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 April 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  25. ↑ "Charlotte Haynes: Yeovil Town Ladies goalkeeper out for up to eight weeks". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 2 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  26. 1 2 "Megan Walsh: Yeovil Town Ladies sign ex-Notts County goalkeeper for Spring Series". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 1 May 2017.
  27. 1 2 "Yeovil Town Ladies 2–3 Bristol City Women". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  28. 1 2 "Yeovil Town Ladies 1–5 Arsenal Ladies". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 7 May 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
  29. 1 2 "Angharad James: Yeovil Town Ladies sign Wales international midfielder". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 16 May 2017. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  30. 1 2 "Yeovil Town Ladies 0–1 Reading Women". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 17 May 2017. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  31. 1 2 "Manchester City Women 5–1 Yeovil Town Ladies". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  32. 1 2 "Beth Howard: Yeovil Town Ladies re-sign goalkeeper after graduation". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  33. 1 2 "Yeovil Town Ladies 1–2 Sunderland Ladies". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  34. 1 2 "Birmingham City Ladies 0–0 Yeovil Town Ladies". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 31 May 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
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  37. ↑ "Angharad James: Everton Ladies sign Wales midfielder". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 24 July 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  38. ↑ "SIGNING: England Beach Soccer Champions Duo sign for Pompey". Portsmouth FC Ladies. Pitchero Football Network. 13 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  39. 1 2 3 4 5 "Departures ahead of new season". yeoviltownladies.com. Yeovil Town Ladies F.C. 15 August 2017. Archived from the original on 15 August 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  40. ↑ "Women's Super League 1 Table". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 7 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
  41. ↑ "Player stats". yeoviltownladies.com. Yeovil Town Ladies F.C. Archived from the original on 13 March 2014. Retrieved 31 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
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